Sweden hit five, Ivory Coast edge Ecuador at World Cup 2026
Florian Wirtz excels for Germany vs Curacao, Isak and Diomande impress, offering Liverpool’s Andoni Iraola selection clues after a mixed club season for Wirtz.
Five World Cup-linked moves to watch: Elliot Anderson’s record fee chase, Morgan Rogers interest, Rashford future, Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid links, and Julian Alvarez pursued by Europe’s elite.
Hull bid £12.5m plus add-ons for Braga’s Lukas Hornicek, in Czech Republic’s World Cup squad, and seek a loan return for Man United’s Toby Collyer. Leeds, Inter and Porto also eye Hornicek.
World Cup trend: many teams defend in a 4-4-2 mid-block, pressing in moments due to heat and limited prep. Sides like Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Brazil, Haiti, Scotland and Japan use it effectively.
Ronaldo is cleared to start Portugal’s World Cup opener vs Congo DR. Martinez set to pick D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei says Iran’s World Cup build-up was hit by politics and visas but vows focus before New Zealand opener in Los Angeles. Group G also includes Belgium and Egypt.
Severe weather forces closure of the World Cup Fan Festival in Houston, adding to tournament disruption for supporters.
Spain, shorn of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, face debutants Cape Verde in Miami. Rodri, Pedri and Oyarzabal lead a side tipped as hard to beat, with Cape Verde organised and dangerous on the counter.
Referees will wear special pink kits for Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup in Miami, a tribute to the host city.
Amad Diallo comes off the bench to clinch Ivory Coast’s 1-0 Group E win over Ecuador in Philadelphia. Yan Diomande torments the defence, Ecuador hit woodwork twice. Germany await on 6/20 after 6/25 tie.
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 to go top of Group C, sparking debate: praise for Clarke’s result and Hanley, but fears their cautious approach may hurt against Morocco and Brazil.
Portugal squad will wear special tribute bracelets for Diogo Jota throughout World Cup 2026.
World Cup base camps: Spain train at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Iraq at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, Germany in Winston-Salem, boosting local interest ahead of matches.
After starring in Australia’s 2-0 World Cup win over Türkiye, Harry Souttar is tipped for a Sheffield United return as Wilder rebuilds his defence.
Netherlands draw 2-2 with Japan. Reijnders starts, 70 mins and 2 key passes. Ake on late, 9 mins. Van Dijk and Summerville score, Nakamura and Kamada reply.
After Japan’s 2-2 draw with Netherlands in Texas, Samurai Blue fans stayed to clean the stadium, reflecting a long-standing World Cup tradition.
Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae says Yan Diomande, linked with PSG and Liverpool, will decide his future after shining on World Cup debut.
Sweden crush Tunisia 5-1 to top Group F. Isak and Gyokeres combine for goals, Ayari nets twice, Svanberg adds another. Rekik replied for Tunisia. Sweden face Netherlands next on 6/20 in Houston.
Jordan Henderson hails Jude Bellingham as England’s ‘X factor’ under Thomas Tuchel before Group L opener vs Croatia in Arlington, then Ghana and Panama.
